Driver Recognition 2009
Richard Hanson Driver of the Year 2009
City driver Dick Hanson has been a familiar face at Wilson Lines for the past 19 years. He grew up in Turtle Lake, WI and originally considered becoming an agriculture teacher. He enrolled in a 1-year ag short course at UW-Madison, where he spent the coldest winter of his life. Dick decided ag was not for him, and in 1968, he became a company driver working for Paul Frandsen at Midwest Coast for 11 years. Then he became an owner-operator with Overland Express and later, for Transport America. In 1990, Dick wanted to come back to work for Paul at Wilson Lines, but first needed to sell his Peterbilt. Wilson Lines agreed to buy it from him, even though all the rest of their trucks were Kenworths. He was a Chicago driver for 8 years before deciding to become a city driver. He says, “30 years sleeping in a sleeper is long enough!”
Dave Skjong Driver of the 4th Quarter 2009
Dave Skjong has been an over the road driver with Wilson Lines since February of 2008. Dave was destined to become a truck driver when he was issued a Class A by mistake when he was 15. Dave has been driving approximately 28 years. He has pulled everything from cattle, to grain, to bulk, tanker, dry van and reefer. Dave enjoys driving because it allows him to see the country. Prior to Wilson Lines Dave had his own truck leased to Prime.
Dave is reluctant to ask for time off. He lets dispatch know he will keep going if we need the help..
Wayne Buhrow Driver of the 3rd Quarter 2009
Company driver Wayne Buhrow says, “Trucks are my life.” When he’s out on the road, he can’t wait to get home and work on his trucks, and when he’s home, he can’t wait to get back out driving again. Wayne was hired in September 2008 and has the honor of being chosen as Wilson Lines’ Driver of the 3rd Quarter.
After high school, Wayne joined the Army, where he learned to drive trucks. After the Army, Wayne got married and worked at a few factory jobs before getting his first job as a company driver. Three years later, he bought his own truck and was an owner-operator for 14 years. Because of fuel prices and a slow economy, Wayne went back to being a company driver. He enjoys the freedom of being on the road.
Everyone at Wilson Lines enjoys his upbeat, cheerful personality and professionalism with which Wayne does his job.Walter Mathews Driver of the 2nd Quarter 2009
Company driver Walter Mathews has only been working for Wilson Lines since September 2008 and has already been voted Driver of the Quarter. Walter is from California and lived there his whole life, except for the past 2 ½ years. He moved to Minnesota to be closer to his wife’s family. While he doesn’t particularly like the cold and snow, he says that Minnesota is great.
Walter has been a truck driver for over 15 years and his favorite place to drive is anywhere in California. He likes to be on the go and the freedom to be his own boss when he is on the road. He also likes the variety of the job and wondering where he will be going next.
